Basics 2008 – Session #5, Jerry Bridges

Dr, Bridges returned tonight for his second session, themed 'The Love of Christ Controls Us", taken out of 2 Cor 5 where we find evidence of this love in that He died in our place. Again, the doctrine of Substitutionary Atonement is a significant part of what Dr. Bridges had to offer. He concentrated 2 Cor 5:14-15.

1. God's love was described by John Owen as an "infinite ocean of love which is in the bosom of the Father." There are two types of God's love; the love of purpose, the purpose being to do good for us (this prompted God to send His son to die for us) and the Love of affection, the warm and affectionate love of the Father. This affection was described in John Owen's 'Communion With A Triune God", a book Bridges describes as having changed his life, as "our assurance, in our hearts that the Father loves us." Owen goes on to say, "The greatest sorrow and burden you can do to the Father , the greatest unkindness you can ever do to Him is not to believe that He loves you." Yet, there are times in our lives when we think exactly that.

There are two causes of our doubt of the Father's love. First, sin hinders and clouds our relationship with Him. Yet, God still justifies the ungodly. Second, Adversity makes us believe He doesn't really love us. Yet, Romans 8 tells us that absolutely nothing can separate us from His love. Furthermore, Scripture contradicts the whole notion that God doesn't love us. Zeph 1:17 shows that God "rejoices over us" and will quiet us by His love. The love described here is that of a lover delighting in his beloved. John Owen says, "His love will not allow Him to complain of anything He sees in His beloved." God's heart is expressed in His love for us.

2. Christ's love is a self giving, sacrificial love. When you want to see the love of God, look at the cross. This is the love of purpose Christ expresses. He Expresses His love of affection in Isaiah 62:5 where we see His is like the love of a groom for his bride on wedding day. We see it as well in Song of Solomon 1:8, Song of Solomon 1:15 and Song of Solomon 4:7.

3. The Holy Spirit's love is never mentioned in the Bible but we see it in that He is the comforter, as cat of love. God's blessings come to us through the Holy Spirit and were purchased by the blood of Jesus. Every blessing we receive comes to us through the Holy Spirit. They were provided by the Father, purchased by the Son and are administered by the Holy Spirit. Even before Christ chose to abide in us, He knew we would offend Him. Still, He sent the Holy Spirit to comfort us, an act of unconditional love.

After the session, we had an informal time of Q & A with Alistair Begg in the dining area and, of course, spent some tiem in the book store